Attorneys representing Hilary Duff and a woman who sued the singer/actress for allegedly injuring her in a 2010 collision in West Hollywood agreed to binding arbitration of the dispute, a courtroom clerk said today.
Trial of Rachel Owens’ lawsuit was scheduled to begin today, but the clerk for Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Elia Weinbach said she did not expect any appearances by the lawyers or their clients in light of their decision to take the case before an arbitrator.
Owens filed suit in June 2012. According to the complaint, she was on southbound Crescent Heights Boulevard, waiting to turn left onto Willoughby Avenue on Dec. 12, 2010, when her vehicle was struck from behind by Duff’s SUV.
Owens maintains she suffered $350,000 in pain and suffering and $23,560 in medical damages.
Attorneys for Duff, 27, stated in their court papers that the collision impact was minor.